Get Cash Compensation for Lost Airline Luggage
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Airlines lose or permanently misplace roughly 700,000 bags every year — and most passengers leave money on the table simply because they don’t know the rules.
Understanding Airline Liability and Compensation Limits
For domestic U.S. flights, airlines are liable up to $3,800 per passenger under Department of Transportation rules. International flights covered by the Montreal Convention cap liability at roughly $1,700 (1,288 SDRs) — regardless of what your bag was actually worth.
These limits are maximums, not guaranteed payouts. Airlines will negotiate downward unless you push back with solid documentation.
If your bag’s contents exceed these caps, a comprehensive travel insurance policy is your best safety net. According to Squaremouth, some insurers like battleface let you pair baggage loss coverage with travel medical insurance at a reduced combined rate.
Filing a Property Irregularity Report Immediately
Before you leave the airport, file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airline’s baggage desk — this is non-negotiable. Without it, most airlines will reject your claim outright.
After 21 days with no bag returned, airlines must legally classify it as lost and process compensation. Keep your PIR reference number for every follow-up communication.
Documentation That Makes or Breaks Your Claim
Submit receipts, credit card statements, and photos of every item you’re claiming. This is exactly why photographing your open luggage before every flight is a habit worth building.
Technology is now closing the evidence gap. Apple’s Share Item Location feature sends AirTag data directly to participating airlines, and in March 2026, SITA integrated Google’s Find Hub into WorldTracer — the system used by over 500 airlines — giving carriers real-time tracking data alongside your claim.
Deadlines You Cannot Miss
For damaged bags, you must file within 7 days on international flights and typically within the same window domestically. For delayed bags, the deadline extends to 21 days internationally under the Montreal Convention.
Missing these deadlines forfeits your right to compensation entirely — set a calendar reminder the moment your bag goes missing and track every interaction in writing.
